Carbon-based Materials

Functionalized Graphenes

Graphene based nanomaterials are highly important because of their unique properties such as high contact surface area, high electrical conductivity and their enormous stability. Graphene and related materials have been used as promising catalyst supports in energy conversion and storage applications. In our research, in order to produce more efficient catalyst supports, we successfully modified graphene with various active functional groups such as amine, thiophene, fluorosilane, and RGD peptide by mono and multi-functionalization of graphene oxide. Further, modified polyol process was used to obtain specifically guided growth of Platinum (Pt) nanoparticles on these modified graphene surfaces. Consequently, better dispersion of Pt nanoparticles were obtained with delicate control-ability. As a result, the electrocatalytic activity (ECSA and ORR) was greatly enhanced. These promising nanomaterials can serve as potential candidates for high performance polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells.

Graphene/polymer Nanocomposites

In this work, superior electrical, mechanical and antibacterial properties of graphene nanosheets were readily incorporated in electrospun poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) fibers. The major advantage of this approach is that via co-solvent addition method, a well-dispersed hydrophobic graphene nanosheet distribution in hydrophilic PVA solution was achieved. Thus, improving the final fibers' mechanical and electrical properties. As the final stage of this investigation, effectiveness of this method in preparation of ternary PVA/PANI/rGO fibers and their antibacterial performance was studied. It was shown that effective distribution of conducting components in biodegradable PVA fibers resulted in high antibacterial activity of the final electrospun mats.

Graphene, a single atomic layer sheet of sp2 bondedcarbon atoms has drawn much attentiondue to its highsurface area (theoretically 2630 m2/g), large microporosity, and goodchemical and mechanical stability.In our group, we have concentrated on preparation of graphene nanosheets by microwave assisted synthesis and thermal-chemical exfoliation of graphene oxide with various degree of oxidation.

The discovery of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is an important stepping stone for the nanotechnologicalprogress. Due to the strong knowledge of the electrical and mechanical propertiesof CNTs, they propose many application fields, including polymer reinforcements for composites,energy storage and electronics

Metal organic frameworks

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a new class of porous, highly crystalline materials consisting of metal nodes connected by organic linkers. Due to the simplicity of manipulating or substituting the metal centers and ligands, there are limitless number of possible combinations, which is attractive from a design standpoint. MOFs exhibit many unique properties due to their tunable pore sizes, thermal stability, high volume capacities, large surface areas, and desirable electrochemical characteristics. Our aim is to prepare well dispersed and ordered metal nanoparticles (Ni, Co or Mn) on graphene. For that purpose we have been synthesizing graphene supported MOFs first and then by annealing (to remove organic parts) we will achieve desired catalyst layer. It is also possible to obtain bimetallic nanoparticles starting from two diffent MOFs.

Understanding the origin, chemical structure, and carbon skeleton is important for further utilization especially for low-rank coals. Derived information can be used to understand and control coal processing such as gasification, pyrolysis, liquefaction, derived chemicals (graphene, carbon sheets etc.) and combustion.